Six Nations Team of the Week: Round 3

After three action-packed clashes in the 3^rd round of the Six Nations, Bet Central assembles the team of the weekend.

15. Freddie Steward (England)

Freddie Steward was phenomenal against Wales, his high ball efficiency must rank amongst the best in the world as he defuses bomb after bomb, but he uses his physicality really well and is an underrated distributor. He was also effective with ball in hand against Wales.

Hugo Keenan had an impressive outing against Italy, but not good to nudge out the brilliant England youngster. 

Honourable mention: Hugo Keenan (Ireland)

14. Mack Hansen (Ireland)

The diminutive winger is such a slippery customer, rarely overwrought by the behemoths he faces on the wing, instead he turns them inside and out as he showed against Italy, he got a brace of tries for his troubles – simply magnificent for Ireland.

Kyle Steyn had an encouraging performance in the thriller between France and Scotland.

Honourable mention: Kyle Steyn (Scotland)

13. Gael Fickou (France) – Player of the Week

Hasn’t looked at his best since the November Test matches, but he showed against Scotland why he is regarded as one of the top 2 outside centres in the world along with Lukhanyo Am. Perhaps different to the fluid running of his South African counterpart, he is just as important and as effective for France and it was all there to see in Paris.

Any other week Huw Jones walks into this team based on his exploits this past weekend, but our player of the week was far too good.

Honourable mention: Huw Jones (Scotland)

12. Tommaso Menoncella (Italy)

At times he displayed a maturity that belies his age; 20-year-old Tommaso Menoncella was impeccable in a spirited Italian performance. He was good defensively, strong on the carry and his decision-making was top-notch.

Ollie Lawrence also showed glimpses of his incredible promise, he looks like he will be an important player for England

Honourable mention: Ollie Lawrence (England)

11. Anthony Watson (England)

Anthony Watson has been one of England’s better players for the best part of the last decade, so it was no surprise that he emerged as one of England’s best performers against an improved Welsh Saturday after falling out of favour in recent times.

The French Top 14 top try scorer continues to grow into the Test arena, Ethan Dumortier is doing well to nail down that left-wing berth.

Honourable mention: Ethan Dumortier (France)

10. Finn Russell (Scotland)

The manner in which Finn Russell plays the game is bound to come with mistakes – that is a consequence of his style, but when it comes off, it is simply poetry in motion and that is exactly what we saw from Russell against France, a magician who will win you more games than he will lose.

For Italy, the team looked a lot more effective with the return of Paolo Garbisi at 10 – he is so young but so important for Italy.

Honourable mention: Paolo Garbisi (Italy)

09. Antoine Dupont (France)

Antoine Dupont is nowhere near the form that won him the World Rugby Player of the Year award in 2021, but he is still 1 or 2 levels above most of his scrumhalf counterparts. A tactical and running master – but his defensive work is so good.

Ben White is a superb scrumhalf and one understands why he has usurped the brilliant Ali Price, unfortunately, he was 2^nd to Dupont on Sunday.

Honourable mention: Ben White (Scotland)

08. Lorenzo Cannone (Italy)

The younger of the Cannone brothers, Lorenzo, was phenomenal against Ireland and is quickly emerging as an important cog in the Italian machine, his work rate is insane and he an effective ball carrier. He was the best Italian on the park against Andy Farrell’s team.

Alex Dombrandt probably had the best out of his young Test career against Wales, unlucky to lose out to the Italian 8thman.

Honourable mention: Alex Dombrandt (England)

07. Charles Ollivon (France)

He’s had a slow start to 2023, perhaps a symptom of France not finding fluidity as a team, but Charles Ollivon looked so much better on Sunday. He was able to affect the game at the set-piece, on defence and as a ball carrier. Fabien Galthie will be looking for more of the same from his former captain.

Josh van der Flier had a good game, but Ollivon did that much more to help France the victory.

Honourable mention: Josh van der Flier (Ireland)

06. Lewis Ludlam (England)

Hardest pick of the week, it was near impossible to separate Lewis Ludlam and Sebastian Negri of Italy, in the end we decided to hand the no.6 jersey to the man who emerged on the winning side at the end of 80 minutes – Lewis Ludlam.

Special mention to Negri who has been excellent in every round played thus far.

Honourable mention: Sebastian Negri (Italy)

05. James Ryan (Ireland)

Back to his very best, after a great start to his international career, James Ryan fell off in 2021 and has struggled to get back to his best. He looks a lot better this year and put in a captain’s innings to get his team over the line.

Federico Ruzza could have made the team if it weren’t for his opposite number on the day.

Honourable mention: Federico Ruzza (Italy)

04. Thibaud Flament (France)

Cameron Woki was France’s best player on the way to winning the 6 Nations last year and one would have thought he would be hard to replace, but Thibaud Flament has stepped into the no.4 jersey brilliantly as he quietly carries and defends manfully for the French cause.

Maro Itoje is also starting to recover some form, but Flament was better.

Honourable mention: Maro Itoje (England)

03. Tom O’Toole (Ireland)

Tyrel Lomax went from 4^th choice tighthead to 1^st choice for the All Blacks last year and this is not to suggest that Tom O’Toole will usurp Finlay Bealham and Tadgh Furlong for the Irish no.3 jersey, but both men should be wary of the 24-year-old who has had a massive impact on proceedings for Ireland in their absence. He was outstanding for Ireland on Saturday.

Kyle Sinckler is also proving his worth for England.

Honourable mention: Kyle Sinckler (England)

02. Julien Marchand (France)

Work rate and effectiveness with ball in hand are never in question, as is the case with his set-piece work. Julien Marchand probably didn’t have the level of influence he usually has at the breakdown, but when Dan Sheehan is absent, he is still easily the best hooker in the Northern Hemisphere.

Scotsman George Turner also had a good game in their brilliant effort against the French.

Honourable mention: George Turner (Scotland)

01. Cyril Baille (France)

Like Ollivon and Fickou, Cyril Baille hasn’t been nearly as effective as we’ve become accustomed to in recent times, but he looked so much better against Scotland. Effective on the carry and held his own against Zander Fagerson – getting back to his best.

Pierre Schoeman is a model of consistency at loosehead for Ireland.

Honourable mention: Pierre Schoeman (Scotland)

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